Students at the Virginia Commonwealth University have been alerted to "avoid the area" as a "possible armed subject" has been reported on its premises on Friday morning.

“Avoid the area,” the university announcement said. “VCU Police on scene.”

Law-enforcement is searching the area after "multiple reports of a possible armed subject," VCU officials said, adding that they were looking for a gunman described as a male wearing "square military style hat" and a backpack.

The alert of a possible gunman in the campus in Richmond came a day after a 26-year-old man opened fire at Umpqua Community College near Roseburg, Oregon, on Thursday. The violent shooting at a rural community college left at least ten people, including gunman, dead.

In an update on the situation at the university, officials said police have been unable to confirm the worrying reports, but said that they were "continuing to monitor the area."